When Not to Smash Someone - A Lesson From My Karate Friends

In a US jail, if some calls you a “punk”, a “bitch” or gets in your face and is abusive, the convict code requires you to hit that person or else you get smashed by gang members of your own race. Unfortunately, this sets you up with a fist-clenching reaction for the rest of your life towards disrespectful loudmouths.

Last night, I went to London with ten people from my karate club (Guildford Seiki-Juku), nearly all black belts, two senseis (our teachers), one a 3rd Dan (third-degree black belt). Setting off to watch and support a local cage fighter, Nick “HeadHunter” Chapman, I wondered what would happen if muggers or drunks tried to accost my friends.

On the way home, three drunks started yelling at us. One kicked a can at us, and shouted in a loud and challenging way, almost obstructing our path across a bridge. Gripped by the prison reaction, I braced for a fight, but the black belts swerved around the drunks as if they didn’t exist, the flow of their conversation continuing as if nothing had happened.

I found such a mature response interesting in comparison to the jail experience.

Shaun Attwood  

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wise Karate friends!!

Micky

Anonymous said...

sound words just wish i could be that cool :))))

Mick

Jon said...

This was just after we said goodbye to you guys, Mick.

Anonymous said...

In the world outside of prison, this is what REAL men should always do! :)

N xx

Steve said...

The guy made me jump a bit when he shouted cause I was so close , but just turned and grinned at them :)))))
Osu
Steve

Anonymous said...

It did make me jump when he shouted and kicked whatever he kicked cause I was so close but I just turned and grinned at him. Osu.

Steve

Anonymous said...

One day young one (Mick ) you will be that cool :))))

Steve

Anonymous said...

I agree, coming back into society and losing this code of prison ethics was quite challenging, however after my psychiatrist saw that I had a hard time letting go of the idea of smashing someone when they disrespected me, he began just calling me punk all the time instead of by my name. after awhile it didnt affect me at all...besides i learned once you get passed on asshole theres another waiting around the corner

Jared

Anonymous said...

Too true. When I was in high school I worked contruction and landscape. One of the temps that was with us for a few weeks was just out of prison. We were joking around about something and I called him a punk. Like I knew, but he went off the deep end. But apparently they didn't teach how to fight well in prison.

Gary

Anonymous said...

lol....dont he know he cant mess with a seasoned owl wrestler

Jared

Anonymous said...

tru dat!

Gary

Anonymous said...

well done Guildford Seiki-Juku